Affordable mid-range hotels in London city centre can be very hard to compare.
The number of stars a hotel in London has only reflects the facilities offered, not how clean, well maintained or how large the bedrooms are. In the independent budget hotel sector of London there is also substantial overlap between the bed and breakfast hotels and 2- and 3-star hotels that include breakfast in the room rate.
The low-cost budget chain hotels tend to offer breakfast as an extra not included in the room rate. If the lowest price is going to be your overriding factor for selecting accommodation then you're probably best to start looking at cheap bed and breakfast hotels.
No frills budget chains like Premier Inn, ibis, Comfort Inn and Travelodge set a benchmark for the budget traveller to compare mid range hotels in London. On this page we look at independent hotels that directly compete against the above chains.
Location and the day of week you stay will have a big impact on the hotel rate you pay. Sunday night is the cheapest night to stay at most hotels in London. If the hotel is in a business district then the cheapest rates will be at the weekend, for hotel districts dominated by leisure travellers the weekends are normally the most expensive time to stay. The south side of the river and Tower Bridge hotels areas are examples of districts where hotel rates are deep discounted at the weekend when the business people are at home.
Bayswater is an example of a leisure district where room rates are far lower during the working week than at the weekend. Kensington is one of the largest hotel districts for budget hotels. Room rates are comparatively stable all through the week with a slight softness at the weekend. Kensington is particularly convenient for those using London's main airport, Heathrow.
Bright rooms feature US & European sockets, fridges, hair dryers & tea/coffee facilities. Bus stop just outside the hotel gives cheap access to all of London, with the Imperial War Museum just a 10-minute walk away. Good location for city walks, monuments and culture.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Family rooms • 24-hr front desk • Room service
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Elephant & Castle
Close to Selfridges on Oxford Street and within a 10-minute walk from Edgware Road underground station. Air-conditioned rooms include en-suite shower, hairdryer, complimentary toiletries and a TV with Sky channels. Breakfast buffet is served each morning, along with lunch available in Z cafe.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • 24-hr front desk • Lift • Bar
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Marble Arch
Elegant Victorian townhouse building with modern and well-equipped rooms. This hotel boasts almost instant access to the nearest tube station, ideal for exploring the rest of London. Olympia and Earls Court Exhibition Centres are also around a 10-min walk away. The City Continental combines good value, facilities and a great location.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Single/Double rooms • 24-hr front desk • Lift • Tea/coffee facilities • Breakfast included.
Nearest tube: 1-min walk to Earl's Court
For a budget hotel, this one packs in a lot of facilities! Beneath the St Giles is London’s largest health and fitness facility, where you can have discounted access to a pool and wellness centre, with optional paid for massages. Rooms have tea and coffee facilities, tv and safe. It is an easy walk to Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and the theatres.
Facilities include • Cheapest rates midweek • 3 restaurants and a bar • Table tennis • Casino • Soundproofed rooms • Free Wi-Fi
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Tottenham Court Road
London Toolkit recommends booking this hotel for competitive prices, plus...
• Two complimentary guided walking tours - Royals and Landmarks Tour plus The Wizard Walk which explores iconic landmarks from the Harry Potter films • Vox City App
This popular bed and breakfast is situated between Paddington and Bayswater and features light airy rooms with flat screen TV, in-room safe and tea/coffee-making facilities. There is a comfortable lounge/bar area with a selection of drinks. A full English breakfast is available on top of room price. Hyde Park is a 5-min walk away.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Family rooms • Private on-site parking • Breakfast (paid) • Lounge/ bar
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Lancaster Gate
Boutique hotel in excellent location with friendly staff. The hotel has recently refurbished its brasserie offering a free continental breakfast for guests. Rooms have complimentary toiletries, kettle, hairdryers, Freeview TV. Close by to Victoria station for easy transfers to Gatwick and Buckingham Palace is 15-min walk away. Popular hotel offering good overall value.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Family rooms • 24-hr reception
Nearest tube: 10-min walk to Victoria
Stylish and modern hotel in an excellent location featuring free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, safe and en-suite. Natural History and Victoria & Albert museums are a 10-min walk away. Hyde Park and Royal Albert Hall are a 15-min walk. Breakfast included for higher rate rooms or as extra charge for cheaper rooms.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • 24-hr front desk • Lift • Airport shuttle • Single/twin/double/triple rooms • Coffee house
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Gloucester Road
Boutique style hotel close to the main Kensington attractions such as Harrods, Knightsbridge and the famous Museums (Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A). Well-equipped rooms feature monsoon showers, air-con, mini-kitchen, refrigerator, microwave and TV with DVD player (free access to hotels DVD library).
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Single, Double/Twin rooms • Air-con • Tea/coffee facilities •Satellite TV • Mini-kitchen
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Earl’s Court
Just a short walk from Hyde Park, this consistently well-reviewed hotel is made up of five inter-connected Victorian-era buildings. It is extremely well decorated with an elegance and spaciousness that extends from its luxurious lobby to the stylish rooms. Continental breakfast is available.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Ticket service • Shared lounge • Tea and coffee maker • Concierge service • 24-hr front desk • Family rooms available • Vending machine
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Bayswater
Refurbished in 2016, the rooms include flat-screen TV, en-suite, air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. A complimentary breakfast is served every morning. Chelsea Football Club is a 10-min walk away as is Olympia Exhibition Centre. Heathrow can be reached direct from Earl's Court tube station.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • 24-hr front desk • Lift • Restaurant • Single/twin/double/triple/family rooms • Breakfast included
Nearest tube: 2-min walk to Earl's Court
Situated on the leafy Cartwright Gardens, this hotel is in the heart of Bloomsbury and just an 8-min walk from St Pancras Railway Station and the British Museum. Attractive refurbished bedrooms each have a desk and TV with satellite channels and on-demand movies. A full English breakfast is included in the room rate.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi in public areas • Garden • Tea/coffee facilities • Triple and single rooms • Full English breakfast included • Satellite TV
Nearest tube: 8-min walk to Kings Cross / St Pancras
Just a 5-min walk from Hyde Park, this hotel offers spacious rooms and continental and full English breakfasts. Past guests have rated it highly for both location and friendly staff. You can relax in the cosy lounge bar, with snacks and drinks. A good value choice.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Lounge/bar • Tea and coffee maker • 24-hr front desk • Single and triple rooms available • Laundry service
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to Bayswater
One of the best-received hotels in London with a legion of fans who would never dream of staying anywhere else. Victorian townhouse with a 24-hour reception. Refrigerator and a personal safe in the room. Full English breakfast or continental breakfast served in the hotel conservatory, included in the room rate. This hotel is a 3-min walk from Hyde Park.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Triple & quad rooms • Fridge in room
Nearest tube: 3-min walk to Paddington
Boutique hotel just a 5-min walk from Victoria Station. Set across three Georgian buildings offering modern rooms with free Wi-Fi and free bicycle hire. Rooms feature flat-screen TV, work desk and en-suite bathroom. Continental breakfast is included depending on room type. Small private graden, lounge area with guest laptop, fireplace, DVD player and tea/coffee 24-hrs a day.
Facilities include • Free Wi-Fi • Family rooms • Breakfast included depending on room type • Facilities for disabled guests
Nearest tube: 5-min walk to Victoria